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teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet story with a murder mystery. Luckily the details weren’t gory and the rest kept up the holiday feel. I really liked the characters and the resolution to the main tension. I suspected the culprit early on but liked that I wasn’t sure before the reveal. I am especially happy for the epilogue.
missysreadingcorner's review against another edition
5.0
A Nice Surprise
I was positive I wasn’t going to like this based on the first chapter because I wasn’t ready for a murder mystery. However, I really enjoyed this story. I also like how this was the first story to reference pieces of the previous book.
I was positive I wasn’t going to like this based on the first chapter because I wasn’t ready for a murder mystery. However, I really enjoyed this story. I also like how this was the first story to reference pieces of the previous book.
shanaqui's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This Christmas-themed novella by Jordan L. Hawk features two people who've encountered setbacks and bitterness, and who team up to become more than the sum of their parts, finding an ease and comfort with each other that shocks them. It's a little bit insta-love, since they don't spend much time together, but I did believe that a quick and strong connection formed between them, given the circumstances and their pasts, and I could believe that they'd manage to form something stronger and less ephemeral.
I suppose the part I found least convincing was the race to the departing train at the end, such a typical Hallmark type moment -- but it's still a relief to meet the happy ending at the station, even if it's predictable and melodramatic.
The mystery itself wasn't too surprising or in-depth, given the length of the novella, but it worked to give the characters time and space to talk and show us who they are. I enjoyed it as a whole package, romance and mystery and a little bit of Christmas magic and all.
I suppose the part I found least convincing was the race to the departing train at the end, such a typical Hallmark type moment -- but it's still a relief to meet the happy ending at the station, even if it's predictable and melodramatic.
The mystery itself wasn't too surprising or in-depth, given the length of the novella, but it worked to give the characters time and space to talk and show us who they are. I enjoyed it as a whole package, romance and mystery and a little bit of Christmas magic and all.
tetiana's review against another edition
5.0
After reading several uninspiring books in a row I suddenly remembered I had this novella by one of my fave romance authors tucked away especially for a time like this (and because I’m a weirdo who hates reading holiday stories during actual holidays).
And what a treat it was! Intriguing mystery and a fulfilling romance and overall a very lovely story. Fantastic little pick me up which rescued me from a reading slump.
And what a treat it was! Intriguing mystery and a fulfilling romance and overall a very lovely story. Fantastic little pick me up which rescued me from a reading slump.
sarful's review against another edition
4.0
Nice little historical novela about a vaudeville magician and an accountant. Hoping to save the local theater, Edward allows his little brother to bring in a big show for the Christmas season. During rehearsals Edward sees the dashing magician Christopher, who also wears the telltale green carnation.
The two hit it off in Christopher’s dressing room during intermission. So too does a murder, that becomes known halfway through the magic show. The rest of the book is Christopher and Edward searching for the culprit. They also, and it’s actually quite sweet, fall in love.
I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed the recall of the angel and a bit of its mysterious qualities.
The two hit it off in Christopher’s dressing room during intermission. So too does a murder, that becomes known halfway through the magic show. The rest of the book is Christopher and Edward searching for the culprit. They also, and it’s actually quite sweet, fall in love.
I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed the recall of the angel and a bit of its mysterious qualities.
roxanamalinachirila's review against another edition
3.0
A fun, Christmas-y read, with a bit of a mystery thrown in over the romance.
Twelfth Junction is a small town - it was meant to be bigger, but then things happened and it just never grew. Hell, it never became a real junction, even, and there's only a single train line running through it, so it's basically the back end of nowhere.
The theater is slowly dying, too, and the owner calls what will probably be the last performers to ever come there. The owner's brother and the town accountant, Edward, doesn't really want to be anywhere near the theater, but there are numbers to be crunched there, and he's the only one to crunch them, so he ends up meeting Christopher, the magician, who is planning on making it big in Chicago very soon, with a once in a lifetime opportunity. There's instant attraction between them, but they both have lives to go to.
But everything goes awry when one of the performers in murdered and everyone else is kept in town until the mystery is solved, which can be a long while, considering the fact that the local police is pretty incompetent. Christopher and Edward team up to find the killer, to clear their names, ensure their freedom (in Christopher's case, so he can go to Chicago) and keep the theater going.
While there's nothing I disliked about it (there's very little to dislike in this novella, it's well written and the mystery's good), and while it's nice and comforting, somehow it failed to impress. Maybe I'll be able to pinpoint what didn't work for me with a re-read at some point (or maybe I'll realize I wasn't in the right mood for it, who knows?).
Twelfth Junction is a small town - it was meant to be bigger, but then things happened and it just never grew. Hell, it never became a real junction, even, and there's only a single train line running through it, so it's basically the back end of nowhere.
The theater is slowly dying, too, and the owner calls what will probably be the last performers to ever come there. The owner's brother and the town accountant, Edward, doesn't really want to be anywhere near the theater, but there are numbers to be crunched there, and he's the only one to crunch them, so he ends up meeting Christopher, the magician, who is planning on making it big in Chicago very soon, with a once in a lifetime opportunity. There's instant attraction between them, but they both have lives to go to.
But everything goes awry when one of the performers in murdered and everyone else is kept in town until the mystery is solved, which can be a long while, considering the fact that the local police is pretty incompetent. Christopher and Edward team up to find the killer, to clear their names, ensure their freedom (in Christopher's case, so he can go to Chicago) and keep the theater going.
While there's nothing I disliked about it (there's very little to dislike in this novella, it's well written and the mystery's good), and while it's nice and comforting, somehow it failed to impress. Maybe I'll be able to pinpoint what didn't work for me with a re-read at some point (or maybe I'll realize I wasn't in the right mood for it, who knows?).
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
The Magician's Angel brings us to early 1900's Iowa for a Vaudeville show and a mystery. I really liked the tidbit about where Christopher found the angel, tying it in to the previous story, but I was a little disappointed in the lack of her magical presence here. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the book - I did. Christopher and Edward are both likable characters and the story has a cozy mystery feel as they set about solving a murder. There is some romance and even some steam - what I would call steamy light - but this pair felt more like good friends with benefits than a couple finding true love. All that aside, this addition to the series is entertaining and the mystery made for a fun read.
The Magician's Angel brings us to early 1900's Iowa for a Vaudeville show and a mystery. I really liked the tidbit about where Christopher found the angel, tying it in to the previous story, but I was a little disappointed in the lack of her magical presence here. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the book - I did. Christopher and Edward are both likable characters and the story has a cozy mystery feel as they set about solving a murder. There is some romance and even some steam - what I would call steamy light - but this pair felt more like good friends with benefits than a couple finding true love. All that aside, this addition to the series is entertaining and the mystery made for a fun read.
josy's review against another edition
4.0
~ 3.5 stars ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't even know what is happening right now...
Like seriously... Impatient Elf has rendered me speechless!!
I just came home to find not 1, not 2, not 3, but 7 books in my inbox!!!
[b:Christmas Angel|41718418|Christmas Angel (The Christmas Angel #1)|Eli Easton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541504503s/41718418.jpg|65075312], [b:Summerfield's Angel|41718433|Summerfield's Angel (The Christmas Angel, #2)|Kim Fielding|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541504561s/41718433.jpg|65075360], [b:A Soldier's Wish|41730466|A Soldier's Wish|N.R. Walker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541504792s/41730466.jpg|65109172], [b:Santa Daddy|42904546|Santa Daddy|Keira Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1542823258s/42904546.jpg|66693324], [b:The Magician's Angel|42931806|The Magician's Angel|Jordan L. Hawk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1543873971s/42931806.jpg|65075378], [b:Christmas Prince|42645523|Christmas Prince|R.J. Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541569703s/42645523.jpg|65075485], and [b:Christmas Homecoming|41718469|Christmas Homecoming|L.A. Witt|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541504702s/41718469.jpg|65075431]
I'm grateful beyond words for all this Christmas fluffiness <3<3<3<3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't even know what is happening right now...
Like seriously... Impatient Elf has rendered me speechless!!
I just came home to find not 1, not 2, not 3, but 7 books in my inbox!!!
[b:Christmas Angel|41718418|Christmas Angel (The Christmas Angel #1)|Eli Easton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541504503s/41718418.jpg|65075312], [b:Summerfield's Angel|41718433|Summerfield's Angel (The Christmas Angel, #2)|Kim Fielding|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541504561s/41718433.jpg|65075360], [b:A Soldier's Wish|41730466|A Soldier's Wish|N.R. Walker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541504792s/41730466.jpg|65109172], [b:Santa Daddy|42904546|Santa Daddy|Keira Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1542823258s/42904546.jpg|66693324], [b:The Magician's Angel|42931806|The Magician's Angel|Jordan L. Hawk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1543873971s/42931806.jpg|65075378], [b:Christmas Prince|42645523|Christmas Prince|R.J. Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541569703s/42645523.jpg|65075485], and [b:Christmas Homecoming|41718469|Christmas Homecoming|L.A. Witt|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1541504702s/41718469.jpg|65075431]
I'm grateful beyond words for all this Christmas fluffiness <3<3<3<3
eemms's review against another edition
3.0
A fun mystery romance with a bit of Christmas cheer. I haven't read the others in this collection but it does stand alone. The set up was right out of Midsomer Murders (not a bad thing, I'm on season 16 of that show and still enjoying it) with stage magician Christopher Fiend opening his prop cabinet mid-performance to reveal a strangled body. The romance is fine but didn't quite hit the right note for me. It starts as a hookup which is kind of a nice change, but Edward spends most of the rest of the book telling himself there's no way someone like Christopher could ever have FEELINGS for him, which just isn't my jam right now. Of course he does have feelings, the murderer is revealed, and everything ends happily ever after. I recommend it if you like American midwest settings and mystery romance, and don't need a slow burn.